Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum

Preserving and Enhancing Scenic Highways
SR82 and SR83

Establishing an Effective Working Relationship with ADOT

presented by Annie McGreevy, chair of DCRC

Context

The community and ADOT jointly developed a Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Corridor Management Plan (CMP) to ensure that SR82 and SR83 retained scenic highway qualities.

In spring 2005, a set of improvement projects initiated by ADOT raised serious concerns within the community.

These projects seemed to violate the spirit of the CMP and were initiated with little notice and no opportunity for public input.

Progress toward Resolution

In response, the Scenic Road Advisory Council established by the CMP formed a task force, the Design and Development Committee (DCRC).

ADOT committed to work with DCRC to:

1. Mitigate problems resulting from improvement projects on SR 82 and 83;
2. Develop a process for community input at all stages in future projects; and
3. Establish open communication with the community.

The Development & Construction Review Committee: Origin & Purpose

The Patagonia-Sonoita Scenic Corridor Management Plan proposed a Scenic Road Advisory Council (SRAC). The SRAC established a task force, the Development & Construction Review Committee (DCRC) which meets regularly with ADOT to discuss all proposed projects for SR82 and SR83 at all stages:

• concept
• preliminary design
• design
• construction
• maintenance

The Development & Construction Review Committee: Origin & Purpose

DCRC will provide an interface with the community:

• Disseminate information re proposed projects;
• Seek input from the community;
• Use SCCF website as a primary communication tool
  • http://www.sonoitacrossroads.org/
• E-mail -
• Notices at the post offices and in the newspaper
• This meeting is an outgrowth of a process involving mutual commitment by ADOT & DCRC in spring 2005
• The process has been working well

Update

The newly installed guardrail on SR 83 was a major concern identified by DCRC.

• Glare
• Inconsistency with Scenic Highway vision

DCRC and ADOT discussed alternatives for addressing concerns and the options were presented to the community. A community vote by email and website comments was held during early March. The result is that a majority of those voting wishes to replace the galvanized guardrail with Corten. ADOT will respond positively to community wishes.

Summary and New Issues

ADOT and DCRC have been meeting approximately once per month. A key recent focus has been a safety issue on SR 83 which must be addressed. ADOT and DCRC wish to provide background re a proposed mitigation project and to alert the community regarding next steps and opportunities for input at all stages of the project.

© 1999 - Sonoita Crossroads Community Forum